How much does a general contractor charge in Tennessee?

Most general contractors charge a markup of about 10% to 20% for overhead and profit, according to industry data from sources like HomeAdvisor and Angi. On some projects, total markup can reach 20% to 40%. The markup pays for managing the whole job, so judge a contractor on scope and value, not the percentage alone.

Does a contractor need a license in Tennessee?

Yes. In Tennessee, any project of $25,000 or more must be performed by a licensed contractor. Some counties also require a separate home improvement license for smaller jobs. Always ask to see a current license and proof of insurance before you sign anything.

Should I hire a general contractor or a handyman?

Hire a handyman for small, single-trade fixes like a leaky faucet or a patch of drywall. Hire a general contractor for projects that involve multiple trades, permits, or structural work. Using a handyman for a contractor's job often leads to do-overs and failed inspections.

How many estimates should I get before hiring a contractor?

Get at least three written estimates with detailed scopes. Compare what each one includes, not just the bottom line. The cheapest bid is often missing scope that shows up later as a change order.

Who pulls the building permit, me or the contractor?

Your general contractor should pull the permits. Their license is tied to the permitting process, and pulling it themselves means they stand behind the work at inspection. Be cautious of any contractor who asks you to pull the permit in your own name.

What is a fair deposit for a contractor?

A reasonable deposit secures your start date and locks in pricing. If a contractor asks for 50% or more up front on a major project, treat it as a red flag. A clear payment schedule tied to milestones protects both sides.

How do I check a contractor's references in Dyersburg?

Ask for local references in Dyersburg and Dyer County, then actually call them. Ask if the project finished on budget, on time, and how the contractor handled problems. If possible, drive by or visit a completed project to see the quality in person.

How to Choose a General Contractor in Dyersburg, Tennessee

Hiring a general contractor is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make as a homeowner. Get it right and you have a beautiful, functional space. Get it wrong and you have half-finished work, blown budgets, and a phone that goes straight to voicemail.

The good news is that bad contractors give themselves away early. You just have to know what to look for. Here is how to choose the right general contractor in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

1. Verify License and Insurance

This is non-negotiable. A licensed contractor has passed the requirements set by the state of Tennessee. Insurance protects you if something goes wrong on your property. Ask to see both. If they hesitate, walk away.

In Tennessee, any project of $25,000 or more legally requires a licensed contractor. That rule exists to protect you. Do not waive it to save a few dollars.

2. Ask for Local References

Not references from three states away. Local references. In Dyersburg and Dyer County. Ask to see completed projects. Ask to talk to past clients.

A good contractor is proud of their work and happy to show it off. Call those references and ask the real questions. Did it finish on budget? Did it finish on time? How did they handle the problems that came up?

3. Get a Written Estimate with Scope

A number on a napkin is not an estimate. A real estimate includes a detailed scope of work. What is included. What is not included. Materials. Labor. Timeline. Payment schedule.

If the estimate is vague, the final bill will be a surprise. A clear scope is also how you compare bids fairly. Two prices mean nothing if they cover different work.

4. Make Sure They Handle the Full Scope

Some contractors only do one thing. They frame. Or they tile. Or they paint. A general contractor manages the entire project. Framing, plumbing, electrical, tile, paint, trim.

One point of contact. One person responsible for the outcome. That matters most on bigger jobs like a full home renovation or a kitchen and bathroom remodel, where the trades have to be coordinated in the right order.

5. Avoid the Cheapest Bid

The cheapest bid is cheap for a reason. They are cutting corners somewhere. Cheaper materials. Fewer workers. Skipping steps.

In construction, you get what you pay for. The middle bid with a detailed scope is usually the best value. Pay attention to what is behind the number, not just the number.

6. Check Their Communication

How fast do they return your call? Do they show up when they say they will? Do they explain things clearly?

Communication during the estimate is a preview of communication during the project. If they are hard to reach now, they will be harder to reach later, when your house is torn open.

7. Choose Local

In a town like Dyersburg, reputation is everything. A local contractor lives here. Their kids go to school here. They go to church here.

They cannot afford to do bad work because everyone will know about it by Sunday. A local contractor also knows the Dyer County permit process and the building officials. That saves you time.

What a General Contractor Costs in West Tennessee

Most homeowners want to know how a contractor's price gets built. Here is the honest version.

According to industry data from sources like HomeAdvisor and Angi, general contractors typically add a markup of about 10% to 20% for overhead and profit. On some projects, total markup runs 20% to 40%. Materials are commonly marked up around 7.5% to 20%.

That markup is not a tax. It pays for the thing you are actually buying: someone to schedule the trades, pull the permits, fix the problems, and stand behind the result. A contractor with no overhead is a contractor with no insurance and no crew.

So do not shop on markup alone. Shop on scope, references, and value. A clear estimate that costs a little more usually costs less in the end.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Hiring a Contractor

Most contractor horror stories trace back to one of these mistakes.

Paying too much up front. A reasonable deposit is normal. A request for 50% or more before work starts is a red flag. Tie payments to milestones instead.

Skipping the written contract. Handshake deals fall apart when scope or schedule changes. Get it in writing, including who pays for what.

Letting the homeowner pull the permit. If a contractor asks you to pull the permit in your name, that is a warning sign. It can leave you holding the liability.

Not checking references. A list of names means nothing if you never call them. Five minutes on the phone can save you months of regret.

Hiring on price alone. The lowest number wins until the change orders start. Compare scope, not just the total.

Ignoring specialty work. Some projects, like a commercial plumbing job, need a contractor with the right experience. Make sure their past work matches your project.

West Tennessee Timing Note

Good local contractors book up fast, especially before the holidays and through the spring and summer building season. Permit review in Dyer County can also slow down during busy months. Spring storm season can push exterior work back. If you want a project finished by a certain date, start interviewing contractors weeks earlier than you think you need to.

What to Expect When You Hire RG Construction

We built our process around the things homeowners tell us they want. Clear answers and no surprises.

Free estimate. We walk your project, ask questions, and listen before we quote anything.
Detailed written scope. You see materials, labor, timeline, and payment schedule in plain language.
Permits and inspections. We pull the permits and coordinate the inspections ourselves.
One contractor, full scope. Richie Gammons oversees the job from start to finish. One person accountable.
Local and reachable. We answer the phone. We live here. Our reputation depends on it.

About RG Construction

RG Construction is owned and operated by Richie Gammons in Dyersburg, Tennessee. We handle commercial and residential renovation, home additions, commercial plumbing, decks, and kitchen and bathroom remodels. One contractor. Full scope. Done right.

Still deciding whether your project is a repair or a full renovation? Read our guide on the five signs your home needs a renovation.